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One on whom knighthood, a dignity next below that of baronet, is conferred by the sovereign, entitling him to be addressed as Sir; as, Sir John. [Eng.] Hence:

A knight of the most ancient, but lowest, order of English knights, and not a member of any order of chivalry. See Bachelor, 4.

A knight who carried a banner, who possessed fiefs to a greater amount than the knight bachelor, and who was obliged to serve in war with a greater number of attendants. The dignity was sometimes conferred by the sovereign in person on the field of battle.

See Baronet.

An officer in the household of the British sovereign, who has cognizance of transgressions within the royal household and verge, and of contracts made there, a member of the household being one of the parties. Wharton.

A tenure of lands held by knights on condition of performing military service. See Chivalry, n., 4.

(Feud. Law) The military service by rendering which a knight held his lands; also, the tenure of lands held on condition of performing military service.

See Commandery, n., 3, and also Templar, n., 1 and 3.

The fee of a knight; specif., the amount of land the holding of which imposed the obligation of knight service, being sometimes a hide or less, sometimes six or more hides.

Pertaining to a knight-errant or to knight-errantry. [R.] Quart. Rev.

A wandering knight; a knight who traveled in search of adventures, for the purpose of exhibiting military skill, prowess, and generosity.

The character or actions of wandering knights; the practice of wandering in quest of adventures; chivalry; a quixotic or romantic adventure or scheme. The rigid guardian [i. e., conscience] of a blameless heart Is weak with rank knight-erratries o'errun. Young.

To body of knights, taken collectively.

A bollard timber. See under Bollard.

The character, dignity, or condition of a knight, or of knights as a class; hence, chivalry. "O shame to knighthood." Shak. If you needs must write, write Cæsar's praise; You 'll gain at least a knighthood, or the bays. Pope.

Unbecoming a knight. [Obs.] "Knightless guile." Spenser.

The character or bearing suitable for a knight; chivalry. Spenser.

Of or pertaining to a knight; becoming a knight; chivalrous; as, a knightly combat; a knightly spirit. For knightly jousts and fierce encounters fit. Spenser. [Excuses] full knightly without scorn. Tennyson.

A pot companion. [Obs.]

To deprive of knighthood. Fuller.